WHEN Callum Skinner was 12, he watched Sir Chris Hoy win Olympic gold at Athens in 2004.

Glasgow-born Callum – who celebrated his birthday on the same day Sir Chris took that historic victory – knew he wanted to follow in the footsteps of his cycling idol.

On Thursday evening, the 23-year-old Scot did precisely that when he won gold for Team GB alongside Jason Kenny and Philip Hindes in the track cycling team sprint at Rio 2016.

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The trio set a new Olympic record of 42.440 seconds leaving world champions New Zealand to settle for silver while France took bronze.

Among those cheering on Callum in Rio was his dad Scott, 53, and brother Roy, 20.

"It was an unbelievable evening and I'm so proud of Callum and the team," said Scott.

"My memories go back to Maxwell Park in Glasgow, taking the stabilisers off his little red bike, and teaching him to ride for the first time.

"It certainly paid off all the way to here in Rio and Olympic gold."

Scott added that emotions were still running high.

"Roy and I are stunned and tearful," he said. "It is raining in Rio but sunshine all the way in the Skinner household. Fingers crossed for the days ahead."

Messages of congratulations have flooded in from across Scotland including from First Minister Nicola Sturgeon who described the gold medal as "brilliant" and Callum's long-time hero Sir Chris who said it was "phenomenal".

Britain's most successful Olympian is all too aware of the huge pressure heaped on Callum who has been dubbed "the next Chris Hoy" ever since he burst onto the cycling scene.

Speaking on the BBC, Sir Chris said: "That was unbelievable. I know what it feels like to be in that position and let me tell you he dealt with that like a seasoned professional. Phenomenal.

"I remember seeing him as a teenager training at Meadowbank and he had something special but it's about the hard work and he's worked so hard to win this place in the team."

Callum's first coach Allister Watson, 57, remembers when the rider rocked up as a skinny 12-year-old to join Edinburgh-based cycling development club The Racers in 2004.

These days Callum is based at the world class British Cycling facility in Manchester, but back then he trained on the outdoor cycling track at Meadowbank Velodrome.

"I'm absolutely delighted for him," said Allister. "We know how hard Callum has worked."

Allister credited Callum's mum Judith Crichton with being a key influence in that cycling success.

"Judith is quite some lady and I think Callum gets a lot of his personality traits from her," he said.

"I can remember vividly when he was training for a British Championships and didn't come to a session. That was unusual because Callum is very conscientious.

"It turned out his mum had said: 'If your homework isn't done, you're not going.' His homework wasn't done and so he didn't get to come to training that day.

"His mum has done an absolutely fabulous job of keeping this young man focused and down-to-earth. That coupled with his clear-sighted hard work has got him where he is today."

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After moving to Edinburgh, Callum attended James Gillespie's High School where staff found him to be a "delightful young man".

Head teacher Donald Macdonald believes that the cyclist's success will leave a lasting impression on students across the country.

"He will be an inspiration to our young people in Edinburgh and beyond for many years to come," he said.

"We look forward to inviting Callum in to Gillespie's to share some of his incredible experiences with us in the near future."

Two-time British champion Brian Smith – the Paisley-born rider who represented Scotland at three Commonwealth Games and competed at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta – is co-founder of the Braveheart Cycling Fund which has supported Callum since he was a rookie in his teens.

He paid tribute to the dedication that has seen Callum battle the odds to win gold.

"I'm so proud of him because has been knocking at the door for years. That place in the team was hard fought for," said Brian.

"He delivered when it mattered at the Olympics. Other people may have given up because to replace Chris Hoy is something I don't think anyone thought was do-able.

"Callum has a talent but it is not a gift and he has had to work hard at it. It is that work ethic that has shone through. I'm sure Chris Hoy will be proud of him like everyone else in Scotland."

The newly crowned Olympic champion is being hailed as "an inspiration" for young people in sport.

Craig Burn, chief executive of Scottish Cycling, said: "There is no question that the Olympics encourage riders coming through the pathway and those who do not cycle to get on a bike.

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"Callum Skinner was one of these young riders who was inspired and now has become the inspiration. On behalf of Scottish Cycling I would like to congratulate him on his gold medal, alongside Phillip Hindes and Jason Kenny."

Back in Glasgow, Lord Provost Sadie Docherty offered her congratulations on behalf of everyone in the city and paid tribute to all the Scottish athletes taking part in Rio 2016.

She said: "On behalf of everyone in Glasgow huge congratulations to Callum Skinner and his sprint team on their Olympic gold in track cycling. We're naturally thrilled and proud that a Scot has lifted a gold medal in Rio.

"Scotland produces world class athletes. I'm sure everyone young and old can take inspiration from this win. I hope all our up and coming young sportsmen and women realise that with hard work and determination they too could represent their country in their chosen sport."